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New directives from Customs intermediaries
Please read these important Customs updates 

We recently received an important message from HM Revenue and Customs  (HMRC) regarding Customs intermediaries. The message contained seven crucial Customs updates with information on how they may affect you and how you may need to react to what are significant changes to procedural activities. In passing on this important information to you we have greatly summarized the information we received, so that you can have a quick overview of these important changes. 

If you believe that the changes directly affect your own business activities please contact HM Revenue & Customs. Or, perhaps better still, have a word with Aerona and we will do our very best to clarify any significant aspects of the Customs updates. 

The seven Customs updates relate to:
1.      Key dates for moving export declarations to the Customs Declaration Service.
2.      UK Freeports update.
3.      Update on the Import Control System 2.
4.      Goods Vehicle Movement Service updates.
5.      New Computerised Transit System Phase 5 update.
6.      Transit guidance improvements for businesses.
7.      Late payment interest. 

Key dates for moving export declarations to the Customs Declaration Service.
Please note that that all export declarations must be made through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) by 30 November 2023. However, different groups will be able to begin making export declarations at different times. 

The key dates are:
From late February 2023. CDS will contact and work with all export declarations that only use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS). Details will include how to begin making declarations on the CDS using either software or the new declaration online service.

Summer 2023. CDS will advise export declarants and explain the actions that need to be taken. 

From September 2023.  Declarants will be advised on what information and actions need to be taken. These include export declarants who use a mix of routes; only use inventory linked locations; use Designated Export Place (DEP) movements; or export declarants who currently use the NES web service and will in future need to move to the new export declaration online service. 

After 30 November 2023.  All export declarations must be made through the CDS. Please supply your preferred email address on GOV.UK.  For CDS enquiries you can still contact HMRC online and speak to your Account Manager or Customer Compliance Manager if you have one. 

UK Freeports update.  Five English Freeports have now received final government approval. Scottish Green Freeports, due to become operational in late 2023 have also been announced. For further information on these Freeports please go to GOV.UK. 

From March 2023.  Full entry summary declarations will be required for air cargo brought into Northern Ireland (NI) and European Union (EU) member states. This will need to be processed through Import Control System 2 (ICS2). Which is a new safety and security declaration system.

Familiarise yourself with these new rules by reading safety and security guidance on GOV.UK or on European Commission Website. 

Goods Vehicle Movement Service updates. There are changes coming into force on 28 March 2023 for businesses using ATA Carnet, TOR Carnet or paper Standard Accompanying Document (SAD).  The changes relate to movements to GVMS locations.  It is important that you familiarise yourself with these new regulations or your movement could be delayed. 

New Computerised Transit System Phase 5 update.  From 16 November 2023 businesses will need to make their transit declaration through a new and improved version of the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS).  HMRC will be issuing regular updates to help you with your preparation. 

Transit guidance improvements for businesses.  Read the new-by-step routes and simpler navigation in the transit guidance procedure. 

Late payment interest. On 1 September 2022 HMRC published an update that between July 2018 and April 2022 some customers were incorrectly charged a £25 minimum interest amount for the late payment of customs duty.  If you believe that this could apply to you find out how to get a refund on GOV.UK. 

As we said at the beginning of these Customs updates please contact HMRC for further information or speak to Aerona now and we will be pleased to help in any way we can. 

At Aerona we will do our very best to advise you on these new directives. You can contact Aerona by telephoning 0161 652 3443. You could also email us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or you can send us a message using the form that can be found on our Contact page. Please remember, at Aerona we are here to help you.